'Simon,' said Hugo, 'go to the front window and keep watch.'
And Hugo ran into the bedroom to Albert.
Decidedly there was a door in the bedroom which had the appearance of leading into a further room, but the door would not budge. The pair glanced about. No evidence of recent human habitation was visible either in the sitting-room or in the bedroom, save only the dictionary, and Albert commented on this.
'We must force that door,' Hugo decided, 'and be ready to look after yourself when it gives way.'
As he spoke he could see, in the tail of his eye, Simon opening the front window and then looking out into the street.
'One—two—charge!' cried Hugo; and he and Albert flung themselves valiantly against the door.
They made no impression upon it at all.
Breathless and shaken, they looked at each other.
'Suppose I fire into the lock?' said Hugo.
'We might try a key first,' Albert answered.